The subject of Metabolic Bone Diseases constitutes a globally recognized entity of the disorders of the musculoskeletal system, and has been established in the undergraduate education of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens since 1985 as an elective course. Ever since 2002, it has been incorporated as a specialization in the MSc in Biomedical Research running at that time, specializing in Clinical and Laboratory Medicine - Metabolic Bone Diseases and since 2007 it has been estabished as a separate Postgraduate Program.
The Postgraduate Program "Metabolic Bone Diseases" is the only one of the active postgraduate programs of the Medical School of Athens that is related to the musculoskeletal system. For this reason, there is a strong interest from candidates of various medical specialties (orthopedists, endocrinologists, rheumatologists, internal pathologists, physical rehabilitation MDs, radiologists, etc.) but also other health professionals (physiotherapists, technologists, nurses, etc.). Up to and including the current academic year, the number of prospective students are always twice the number of entrants. It is worth noting that only one other postgraduate program related to the musculoskeletal system (Master in Osteoporosis and Metabolic Bone Diseases, University of Brescia) is performed abroad.
The MSc in "Metabolic Bone Diseases" (MBD) trains scientists in the basic knowledge, pathology, diagnosis and treatment of MNOs.
It has a great impact in the wider medical field due to the relevance of its subject with many medical specialties, resulting in its huge demand from resident and specialized orthopedists, physical rehabilitation MDs, rheumatologists, neurologists, endocrinologists, pathologists, general practitioners, radiologists as well as dentists, physiotherapists, nurses, radiological and biochemical laboratory technicians.
The early recognition and treatment of a metabolic disease of the musculoskeletal system has also its social status, since patients with such diseases have mobility and functional problems and face difficulties in their daily lives, in their work and in general in their integration into the social fabric.
The failure to recognize and treat osteoporosis (the so-called "silent disease") in a timely manner, leads to significant morbidity and mortality, especially of the elderly.
The training in the specific subject of the MSc will lead graduates to staffing and optimization of medical services to patients with MBDs and ultimately to the increase of the general health index, along with the reduction of unnecessary state expenditure.
The purpose of the MSc is:
to train and specialize young scientists in the wide and growing field of Metabolic Bone Diseases. Graduates of the Postgraduate Program will be able to:
a) staff clinics and laboratories dealing with bone metabolism and geriatrics as well as research units on Metabolic Bone Diseases
b) to teach the subject
c) to be employed in positions that require knowledge about the subject of metabolic bone diseases and the treatment of patients with such diseases
The MSc aims at the education and creation of highly qualified scientists, the promotion of knowledge, basic research and research of bone metabolic disorders. Through the MSc, emphasis is given to the search and evaluation of data and the promotion of educational and research activities.
The objectives of the MSc in "Metabolic Bone Diseases" are:
A. The acquisition by students of deeper knowledge of the physiology and pathology of the musculoskeletal system, calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism.
B. The extension of students' knowledge to other fields of medicine, namely General Pathology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology, Nephrology, Neurology, Gynecology, Pediatrics and of course Orthopedics and the ability to link diseases of these specialties with the etiopathogenesis of Metabolic Bone Diseases.
C. The acquisition of basic knowledge of imaging, biochemistry, pathology, histology that will help students in the recognition, diagnosis and differential diagnosis of metabolic bone diseases.
D. The acquisition of knowledge of biostatistics, biomechanics, search in internet libraries, analysis of scientific textbooks and articles and finally writing scientific articles with the goal of familiarizing them with the research and publication of scientific articles related to the subject of Metabolic Bone Diseases.
E. The familiarization of students with scientific research through an original research diploma thesis that can be carried out in the experimental operating room of the Laboratory for the Research of Musculoskeletal Diseases (LRMS) and with the supervision of the Faculty of the Laboratory, which at the same time participates in the postgraduate program.
The duration for the studies leading to the award of the Diploma of Postgraduate Studies (MSc) of the Program is set at four (4) semesters.
For the award of MSc, the following are required:
A) The collection of the required credits (120 ECTS)
B) Success in the examinations of the courses
C) The successful completion of the assignments per semester of studies as well as the publication of a scientific paper published in the English language in an international medical journal
D) The successful public support of the Diploma Thesis